Apparatus for nitrating cellulose.



A. F. DU PONT & J. T. THOMPSON.

APPARATUS FOR NITRATING GELLULOSE.

APPLICATION FILED JAIL 8, 1910 Patented Dec. 27, 1910.

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A. P. DU PONT 6; J. T. THOMPSON.

APPARATUS FOR NITRATING GELLULOSE.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 8, 1910 9?9,56Q Patented Dec. 27, 1910.

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JITOA'WEK) ALEXIS FELIX DU'PONT AND JOHN TORBERT THOMPSON, OF WILMINGTON, DELA- WARE, ASSIGNORS TO E. I. DU PONT DE NEMOURS POWDER COMPANY, OF WIL- MINGTON, DELAWARE, A CORPORATION OF NEW JERSEY.

APPARATUS FOR NITRATI NG CELLULOSE.

emcee.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, Annxis I nmx DU Polar and JOHN Tonnnn'r THOMPSON, citi zens of the United States, residing at Vilmington, county of Newcastle, and State of Delaware, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Apparatus for Nitrat-ing Cellulose, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this specification.

The object of-our invention is to provide anapparatus in which the nitration of cellulose, for instance, cotton, may be carried on in small quantities and continuously. By this means the nitratiug is carried on more rapidly than by the apparatus now in use, and the material being divided up into small units, any spontaneous combustion affects but a small quantity.

\We will first describe the embodiment of our invention illustrated in the accompanying drawing, and then point out the invention in the claims.

In the drawings: Figure 1 is a plan view. Fig. 2 is a section on line 22, Fig. 1,. Fig. 3 is a. detail sectional view of nitrating vessel.

(4 is aplatform rotatably mounted upon the spindle b in bearings 7. This platform is revolved at a slow rate of speed, preferably one revolution in twenty minutes. It'

is driven from the pulley 10 through shaft 11, having worm 12 operating the reducing worm wheel 13 on shaft 14, on which is worm 15 opening reducing worm wheel 16 on a spindle Z). Projecting from this platform a are the arms 0, each having the aw or bifurcated ends (Z. Supported by trunnions e in each of these jaws (Z is a nitrating vessel f. This vessel has above its bottom a screen g. In the bottom. is an opening from which projects a pipe h having a valve 2' therein, operated by a star wheel 7'. Upon the ground or floor, and adjacent to the pro jecting arms of the platform at one point is a centrifugal extractor of the ordinary character, composed of the casing Z and the rotating basket 8. Attached to each of the vessels f is a handle m.

Supported centrally of the platform a, is the pipe 12, extending above the level of the reservoir to. This pipe 12 terminates in the measurer 0 of size sufficient to hold a quantity of nitrating liquid for one vessel Specification of Letters Patent. Patented B39, 27 1910, Application filed January 8, 1910. Serial No. 537,054.

From this measurer 0 extends the pipe 29 having the faucet or mouth q. The pipe 12 is formed of two sections swivelcd together at the point 100. On the pipe 1) is a valve r and on the pipe at a valve 8. These valves 1' and s are oppositely set and their operating levers t are connected by rod u.

v is a handle for operating the levers t.

w is a reservoir for the nitrating liquid. From this reservoir to the pipe a extend the pipes cc and 3 Upon the pipe m is the circulating pump 20. When the valve 9' is closed and valve 8- opened, the measurer 0 fills up and thereafter the liquid circulates through pipes to and 1 When the valve 2' is opened, valve 8 is closed, the liquid in measurer passes out through faucet 9 into the vessel, while the liquid from reservoir circulates through pipes a" and 3 The operation is as follows: Tl1e Vessels are spaced apart a distance which, with the speed of rotation, will enable the following operations to take place: The vessel f at the point 2 is filled with the cellulose material, for instance, cotton. When it reaches the proper point, the pipe [9 is swung so that the spout q is over this vessel and the valve 1" opened, and a measured quantity of the nitrating liquid fed into the vessel. The

valve 1 is then closedpand the valve 8 opened and the pipe a swung so that the spout is free from vessel f and the measurer fills up again, the time of passage of the next succeeding vessel 7 to the proper point to re ceive the liquid, being sufficient to enable this to be done. The platform then rotates until the vessel reaches the point for tilting the vessel, which gives sufficient time for the nitration. At this point the project-ion 3 strikes the star wheel, opening the valve 2', opening the pipe 71, and the liquid drains off into the tank 4. At the point 5, the vessel is in line with the extractor and the handle in being used, the vessel f may be tilted to allow the nitrated cotton to pass into the extractor,,where the remainder of the liquid is IGII'IOVECl. Just before this point, a projection 6 strikes the star wheel j, moving it farther and closing the valve 71.

By this construction the nitration-is carricd on continuously and the removal of theexeess liquid and nitrated cellulose readily obtained. Moreover, small unlt-s are acted on, thus lessening the chance of spontaneous combustion-and, if it should occur, limiting it to a small quantity. The pump 20 causes a circulation of the acids through pipes a? and y, when the valve 8 is closed or measurer 0 filled.

Having now fully described our invention, what we claim and desire to protect by Letters Patent is: Y

1. In an apparatus for nitrating cellulose, in combination, a rotating'platform, a vessel carried by said platform, said vessel having sections, perforated material between said sections, there being an outlet from the lower section, a valve-controlling said outlet, and a fixed device adapted,'in the movement of the platform, to open said valve.

2. In an apparatus for nitrating cellulose, in combination, a rotating platform, a' vessel carried by said platform, said vessel having sections, perforated material between said sections, there being an outlet fromthe lower section, .a valve controllingsaid outlet, iand a fixed device adapted, in the movement of the platform, to open said valve, and a second fixed device adapted, in the movement of the platform, to close said valve.

3. In an apparatus for nitrating' cellulose, in combination, a rotating platform, a vessel, pivotally mounted, carried by said platform, said vessel having sections, perforated material between said sections, there being an out-letfrom the lower section, a valve controlling said outlet, and a fixed device adapted, in themovement of the platform, to-open said valves 4. In an apparatus for nitrating cellulose, in combination, a rotating platform, a vessel, 'pivotally mounted, carried by said platform, said vessel having sections, perforated material between said sections, there being an outlet from the lower section, a valve controlling said outlet, a fixed device adapted, in the movement of the platform,

to open said valve, and a second fixed device close said valve. v

x 5. In anapparatus for nitratingv cellulose, in combination, a rotating platform,'a plurality of equi spaced vessels mounted v adapted in the movement of the platform, to

upon said plat-form, each vessel having sec-- tions, perforated material between said sections, there being an outlet from the lower 55 section, a valve controlling said outlet, and

a fixed device adapted in the movement of the platform, to open said valve.

6. In an'apparatus for nitrating'cellulose, in combination, a rotating platform, a plurality of equi-spaced vessels, mounted upon said platform, each vessel having sections, perforated material-between said sections, there being an outletfrom the lower section, a valve controlling. said outlet, a fixed device adapted in the movement of the platform, to open said valve, and a second fixed device adapted in the movement of the platform, to close said valve.

7. In an'apparatus for nitrating cellulose, in combination, a rotating platform, a plurality of equi-spaced vessels, pivotally mounted upon said platform, each vessel having sections, perforated material between said sections, there being, an outlet from the lower section, a valve controlling said outlet, and a fixed device adapted in the movement of the platform, to open said valve.

8. In an. apparatus for nitrating cellulose, in combination, a rotating platform. a plurality of equi-spaced vessels, pivotally mounted upon said platform, each vessel having sections, perforated material between said sections, there being an outlet from the lower section, a valve controlling said outlet, and a fixed device adapted in the movement of the platform, to open said valve, and a second fixed device adapted in the movement of the platform to close said valve.

9. Inan appartus for nitrating cellulose, the' coinbination with a nitrating vessel, of a reservoir, a ineasurer, a pipe leading from said reservoir and terminating in said measurer, an independent delivery pipe, ro-

tatably mounted, leading from the measurer.

and a valve on said pipe, said last mentioned pipe being adaptedtoaline with the nitrat- -"ing vessel.

10. In an apparatus for nltratmg cellu-' lose, the combination w1th anitrating ves-- sel, of a reservoir, a meas'urer, a pipe leading from. said reservoir and terminating in said measurer, a valve upon said pipe, a'n indeing from said reservoir and terminating insaid measurer, a valve 011 said pipe. an independent delivery pipe leading from the measurer, and a valve on said pipe, said valves being oppositely set and interconnected, said last-mentioned pipe'being adapted.

to aline with the nitrating vessel.

12. In an apparatus for-nitrating cellulose, the vcombination with a nitrating vessel, a rotatable central pipe, a measurer connected to said pipe, a reservoir, a pipe leadin from said reservoir to said'central pipe,

a elivery pipe from said measurer, a valve in said pipe, and a valve in the central pipe,

the outlet of said delivery pipe being adapted to aline with the nitrating vessel.

13. In an apparatus for-'nitrating cellulose, the combination with a nitrating vessel, a rotatable central pipe,;a measurer connected to said pipe, a reservoir, a pipe leading from said reservoir to said central pipe, a delivery pipe from said measurer, a valve in said pipe, and a valve in the central pipe, said valves bein'g oppositely set, the outlet of said delivery pipe being adapted to aline with the nitrating vessel.

14. In an apparatus for nitrating' cellulose, the combination with a nitrating vessel, a rotatable central pipe, a n'ieasurer connected to said pipe, a reservoir. a pipe leading from said reservoir to said central pipe. a delivery pipe from said measurer, a valve in said pipe. and a valve in the central pipe, said valves being oppositely set and interconnected, the otulet of said delivery pipe being adapted to aline with the nitrating vessel.

15. In an apparatus for nitrating cellulose, the combination with a nitratingr vessel, of a rotatablecentral pipe, a ineasurer connected to said pipe, a reservoir, a pipe leading from the lower portion of said reservoir to said central pipe, a delivery pipe from said measurer, a second pipe from the upper portion of the reservoir to the central pipe, a valve on the central pipe between the measurer and the pipes from the reservoir, and a valve in the delivery pipe. the outlet of said delivery pipe being adapted to aline with the nitrating vessel.

16. In an apparatus for nitratine, cellulose, the combination with a nitrating vessel, of a rotatable central pipe, a mcasurer connected to said pipe, a reservoir, a pipe leading from the lower portion of said reservoir to said central pipe, a delivery pipe from said measurer, a second pipe from the upper portion of the reservoir to the central pipe, a valve on the central pipe between he measurcr and the pipes from the reservoir, and a *alve in the delivery pipe, said valves being oppositely set, the outlet of said delivery pipe being adapted to aline with the nitrating vessel.

17. In an apparatus for nitrating cellulose, the combination with a nitrating vessel, a rotatable central pipe, a measurer connected to said pipe, a reservoir, a pipe lead-- ing from the lower portion of said reservoir to said central pipe,'a delivery pipe from said measurer, a second pipe from the upper portion of the reservoir to the central pipe, a valve on the central pipe between the measurer and the pipes from the reservoir, and a valve in the delivery pipe, said valves being oppositely set and interconnected, the outlet of saiddelivery pipe being adapted to aline with the nitrating vessel.

18. In an apparatus for nit-rating cellulose the combination with a rotatable platform, and a plurality of vessels pivotally mounted-onsaid platform, ofv a liquid extractor adjacent to said platform, and in line with the vessels when tilted.

19. In an apparatus for nitrating cellulose the combination with a rotatable platform, and a plurality of vessels pivotally mounted on said platform, a perforated division above the. bottom of each vessel, an outlet below said' perforated division, a valve controlling said outlet, a liquid extractor adjacent to said platform, and in line with said vessel when tilted, a fixed device in advance of said extractor, in the rotation of the platform and adapted to operate the outlet valves to open.

:20. In an apparatus for nitrating cellulose the combination with a rotatable platform, and a plurality of vessels pivotally mounted on said platfornna perforated division above the bottom of each vessel, an outlet below said perforated division, a valve controlling said outlet, a liquid extractor adjacent to said platform, and in line with said vessel when tilted, a fixed device in advance of said extractor, in the rotation of the plat form and adapted to operate the outlet valves to open, and a second fixed device beyond said first fixed device but in advance of the extractor and adapted to close said outlet valve.

21. in an apparatus for nitrating cellulose,the combination with a revoluble vessel, of a central pipe, at measurer in connection with said pipe, a reservoir, a pipe from the lowerportion of the reservoir to said central pipe, and a. second pipe from the central pipe to the upper portion of the reservoir.

22. In an. apparatus for nitrating cellulose, the combination with a revoluble vessel, of-a central pipe, a measurer in connection with said pipe, a reservoir, a pipe from the lower portion of the reservoir to said central.- pipe, a second pipe from the central pipe to the upper portion of the reservoirfiand a circulating pump in the circuit of said last mentioned pipes.

23. In an apparatus for nitrating cellulose, the combination with a revoluble vessel, of a central pipe, a measurer in connection with said pipe, a reservoir, a pipe from the lower portion of the reservoir to said central pipe, a second pipe from the central pipe to the upper portion of the reservoir, and a valve for controlling the connection between said central pipe and measurer.

24. In an apparatus for nitrating cellu lose, the combination with a revoluble vessel, of a central pipe, a measurer in connection with said pipe, a reservoir, a pipe from the lower portion of the reservoir to said central pipe, a second pipe from the central pipe to the upper portion of the reservoir, a valve for controlling the connection betweensaid central pipe and measurer, and a circulating pump in the circuit of said last mentioned pipes.

25. In an apparatus for nitrating cellulose, the combination with a revoluble vessel, of a central pipe, 2. measurer in connection 'reservoir to said central pipe,

with said pipe, a reservoir, a pipe from the a second pipe from the central pipe to the reservoir, a pipe leading from the ineasurer, and a valve on said pipe.

26. In an apparatus for nitrating cellulose, the combination with a revoluble vessel, of a central pipe,-a ineasurer in connection with said pipe, a reservoir, a pipe from the reservoir to said central pipe, a second pipe from the central pipe to the reservoir, apipe leading from the measurer, a valve on said pipe, and a valve for controlling the connection between said central pipe and measurer.

27. In an apparatus for nitrating cellulose, the combination with a revoluble vessel,

of a central pipe, a measurer in connection with said pipe, a reservoir, a pipe from the reservoir to saidcentra-lpipe, a second pipe from the central pipe to the reservoir, a pipe leading fromv the ,measurer, a'valve on said pipe, a valve for controlling the connection between said central pipe and Ineasurer, and a circulating pump in the circuit of pipes between the reservoir and the central pipe.

In testimony of which invention, we have.

hereunto set our hands, at Carneys Point, N J on this 5th day of January, 1910.

, ALEXIS FELIX DUPONT.

JOHN TORBERT THOMPSON. WVitnesses:

HARRY DAVENPORT. 

